WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 6, 2009 -- Five national organizations are joining forces in a historic partnership to further research into water efficiency in plumbing. These organizations with expertise in water efficiency and plumbing will develop research programs to assist in the development and use of water efficient plumbing. The research will cover efficient and sustainable products, systems and practices.
"New developments and improvements in water efficiency technology depend on credible research results," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Today's ground-breaking agreement helps ensure that plumbing stakeholders join forces to analyze important water efficiency issues."
"By joining forces the organizations can better use their resources to advance water efficiency research in areas where there is a common interest and need," said Mary Ann Dickinson, Executive Director of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the organization leading the partnership. "Initial projects being considered for research are high efficiency toilet drainage, water re-use systems, non-water consuming urinals, and sizing of water efficient plumbing systems. We want to make sure that as we move forward with changes in water efficiency requirements, those changes are based on solid research in the field."
The Memorandum of Understanding signed today by all parties formalizes the agreement reached on conducting the research projects, and took more than a year to negotiate. The five groups that are part of the agreement are:
• Alliance for Water Efficiency
• International Code Council
• International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
• Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors Association
• Plumbing Manufacturers Institute
